Destination guide
Travel guide: Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Julia Karam | July 31, 2018
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Are you headed out on our Austria, Germany, and Switzerland tour? Wondering what you should pack? What food you should try? Or how much money you should bring with you? We’ve got you covered!
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The Basics
Weather: Fall: 41-59° F | Winter: 32-40° F | Spring: 40-54° F | Summer: 59-64
Language(s): Various (Mostly German and French)
Currency: Euro and Swiss franc
Cash or card: Cash
Exchange Rate: $1 = €.85 or .98 CHF
What that really means: $20 = €17 or 19 CHF
What 1€/CHF will buy you: Pretzel (Germany), Kornspitz (Austria), Cheese (Switzerland)
€ to bring per day: €25
Packing
Spring/Summer Packing List: Shorts, t-shirts, jeans, sunglasses, raincoat, boots, light scarf
We wish we packed: More layers, an umbrella, and warmer clothes for Switzerland.
We wish we left behind: Thick sweaters and jackets
Fall/Winter Packing List: Warm jacket, boots, thick socks, raincoat, hats, gloves, scarves
We wish we packed: Leggings/under armor to wear underneath clothes
We wish we left behind: Extra pants/scarves/sweaters/etc. Thicker clothes take up more room and you’re better off packing items you can mix and match to re-wear.
Packing tips: No matter the season, pack clothes that can be layered in case the weather changes.
The Food
Average cost of lunch: €15-€20
Tipping: 10% at most
Food Culture: Lots of markets, but also tons of opportunities for a sit down meal.
Best place to have lunch: Local markets
You HAVE to try: Fondue, chocolate, currywurst, pretzel, wiener schnitzel
Everything Else
Total spend on souvenirs: €50-€100
Coolest thing you bought: A snowglobe (they were invented in Austria!), swiss chocolate, and holiday decorations in Germany
Free time: Shop at the local markets, or take a bike ride!
Best cheap/free thing to do: Talking with locals!
Best Part: The Alps, Swiss Folklore Evening, and seeing new ways of living!
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Julia Karam
Julia traveled with EF in 2015 and started in a content marketing co-op at EF Tours while in college. She has since studied abroad in Florence, Italy, traveled to 10+ countries, and now works as a Tour Consultant with EF Tours.
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